051106 Lawmakers Call For Expanded Candian Cattle Imports

Washington - Nine members of the House of Representatives are urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to loosen restrictions on cattle imports from Canada.

The USDA eased its ban on live Canadian cattle in July but only agreed to allow in animals younger than 30 months of age. The USDA considers older cattle to be at higher risk for mad-cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

"We are writing you today to request that USDA expeditiously promulgate a rule to permit the importation (from Canada) of mature cattle for slaughter and the beef products derived from such animals," the lawmakers said in a Nov. 2 letter to USDA Secretary Mike Johanns. "Many U.S. beef packers that specialize in the slaughter of older animals still find themselves in an extremely difficult economic situation because cattle more than 30 months of age are not permitted entry from Canada."

USDA spokesman Ed Loyd said Thursday that the department continues to work on a rule that would allow imports of older Canadian cattle, but said he did not know how long it will take to complete.

The U.S. banned all Canadian live cattle in May 2003 after that country announced the discovery of its first case of mad-cow disease in a native-born animal.

Source: Bill Tomson, Dow Jones Newswires

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